The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1887-07-15

0CBuHS S>JklA ISV OO RA hHASOAAia2 no cSoh
as he reached the n,oss-grown cross
just, outside his village, he knelt be-
lore it and uttered short, heartfelt
prayer. He thanked his Saviour, not
/ Tor any victory or any glory. but for
allowing him to get back through all
his trials without loss OF health or
limbs.
He hurried forward and began to
sing for the first time since he had left
his vito and children.
Not;far of could be seen the little
cottage with it's roof of thatched straw
blackened by the smoke of the CHM
eny, and itsRranary, wherein thestork
nestled.
Soon from the other side OF a hedge
he was greeted by his young wife, and
two young children came running TO-
wards him. He took his son up in his
arms and kissed him; he bent over
his daughter and stroked her forehead
with his hand, and then hegazed love
ingiy on his young wife.
She merely said: How good it is
to see you back herel"
He entered the large room OF his cot
tage, followed by the children and the
dog; avno,. ,...+ /, ~. von .o+ ther.,o
asked the young woman.
II brought him back with me from
France" !" he replied.
Nv.
The dog went about the place with
gaping mouth and inquisitive nose.
He scented everything; the floor,
benches and wall; the large deal table,
the fagots under the stove, the wifs's
sheep-skin, and the linen on the line.
He finally stretched himself in the
middle of the room, put his nozzle be.
tween his iore.lees and sighed deeply,
as il to say: I'VE have reached home
at last, and have found another
country which ] may look upon as
my own" The children drew near to
play with him. Theyomg wife brought
him something to eat He listened
attentively to the foreign words that
were spoken, as il to catch their mean
ing or discover what WAS required OF
him; but the task being a futile one,
when hand sought to touch him he
growled and showed his teeth.
He soon got to be looked upon as
hendstrong, wicked brute.
"Never mind," said the young won.
an, "he'll keep the thieves and prowl.
ers at a distance and prove a good
Watchdog"
Volnizki asscnted to his wife's sug-
gestion.
So chain was put around the
dogs neck, who was by no means sur.
prised at the ordeal, for he had been
used to the thing from puppyhood.
Every evening as soon as the stars
came out bright In the sky, the young
housewife let the dog loose in the yard
Thereupon the faithful beast would
shake himself, sniff the air with ap
parent pleasure, and commence his
round OF inspection.
On one occasion, however, the dor
was missed. But he did not 90 far
since he came back the next day anG
WAS found quietly installed In his ken
One sabbath afternoon, after YES
pers, an old man entered the peas
ants courtyard. He was over 81
years OF age. His stiff bearing
bronzed complexion and manly
aspect at once revealed the military
| veteran. An open countenance SCI
off to advantage the spare, silver,
locks; two light blue eyes gave q gray,
and goodly expression to his face
| while his white moustache grew dowl
over his mouth to his chin. He wor
| boots that reached to his knees,
long overcoat in dark blue cloth, .
4 white necktie aud a gray hat. III hi
hand, for show rather than use, h
held a stick with shining knob; on hi
breast shone the cross OF the Legiol
of Honor strung to an old piece q
j fnded red ribbon. which still Dor
black stains due to the gunpowder a
Waterloo.
1 The old soldier was received witt
i tokens OF kindness and reverence; h
was shown into the large room, whicl
that day offered an unusually soleml
aspect with its washed and sande
floor. Some flowers in an earther
ware pot on the window-sill diffuse
their sweetness over the place, an
the sun shone chcerfully through tn
4 little sparkling glass-panes.
The two men sat down before tn
! large deal table, and when the youn
woman had brought brandy, brea
and salt, cheese and sausage, they bt
gan to speak about the war. Volnii
4 ki recounted the events at Spicherr
4 Saint -Privat and Buzenval, while tn
i old man spoke of Lutzen, Dresde
and Leipsic, Ligny and Quatre Bras
Every time France and the Emperor
name were mentioned the old ma
raised his hat. Meanwhile the chi
dren played in the yard, and--tha
the holiday should be a general one
the dog was let loose from his kenne
4 Presently the animal appeared o
the threshold, looked up inquisitlvel
at the aged man, drew near and scent
ed him.
j. what sort OF a dog is tbat2" inquil
ed the old soldier; ''he is not fror
these parts"
j, II brought him back with me fror
j France" replied Volnizki
"From France?"
VI "He's abad animal" said the youn
woman.
"And disobedient.' said the littl
boy.
81 tried to teach him few tricks,
added Yolnizki, "but all to no pul
pose; he understands nothing, abse
lutely nothing"
Il The old man laughed.
4 my friends" said he, "the reaso
is obvious. The poor brute doesn
, understand your tongue"
:, "Well, now, that beats everyt thing!
exclaimed Volnizki,
u "Why, OF course; what confdene
can he have in people whose tongu
!, is foreign to him?" continued the ol
!, veteran of Napoleon. GLOW shall /
obey, when he cannot understand tt
: order that is given?"
"That," said Volnizki, sis a thing
never thought OF. And" he added
, "as ! don't know French, there is n
help for it,"
'Walt bit," said the old ma,
az he turned toward the anima
, whose eyes were attsntivssy fl:
!. ed on his own. He began t
, speak to the dog in good French We
nacuiar. "You don't understand
!, word they have to say, do you, n,
friend? On that account they ca
], |you a wicked dog; but you are bra,
brute, know; and will be most obed
!. ent when spoken to in your ewn d
| cent language, won't yOu?n